The high and the mighty

How the legalisation of cannabis in California could impact the economy and the criminal justice system.

Cannabis is California's number one cash crop. This fall, voters will decide whether or not to fully legalise the drug and transform US drug policy.

The implications are huge if it passes. It will have a profound effect on the state's struggling economy, the overburdened criminal justice system and even the raging drug war in neighbouring Mexico that has claimed nearly 30,000 lives.

In the meantime, no politicians running for statewide office are supporting the measure. What does that say about the politics of cannabis?

On this episode of Fault Lines, Josh Rushing travels deep inside the world of cannabis in California to explore the implications for the economy, politicians and the criminal justice system. What will it mean if the state votes to legalise it?

This episode of Fault Lines can be seen from Thursday, October 7, 2010 at the following times GMT: Thursday: 0630, 1430; Friday: 0300; Saturday: 0830, 1630; Sunday: 0230, 1230, 2330; Tuesday: 1930; Wednesday: 0330, 0730.